Fiordland weather emergency: Conditions went from 'zero to 100' in seconds

Monday, 3 February 2020

Nearly 200 tourists have spent the night trapped in Milford Sound after torrential rain caused slips and flooding, closing the only route in and out.

The deluge, which prompted Emergency Management Southland and the mayor to declare a state of emergency, closed Milford Rd between Cascade Creek and West Gate (the Chasm). MetService also issued its most serious weather warning – red – for the first time.

The 195 stranded visitors are expected to be freed on Tuesday. Another 70 people were airlifted from the section of Milford Rd blocked on the Te Anau side of the Homer Tunnel on Monday.

Floodwaters at the Milford visitors' terminal on Monday after a deluge hit Fiordland.

Among them was Te Anau photographer William Patino, who said conditions went from 'zero to one hundred in a matter of seconds'.

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More than 380 people were initially trapped at Milford Sound because of the weather.

Tourists and workers in the Milford township are accounted for and are either in Mitre Peak Lodge or on the tourist boats. They have plenty of food and are safe and warm.

Patino was staying at Gunn's Camp, on the Hollyford Track, when he awoke to heavy rain and a swollen river.

Significant damage on the road to Milford Sound.

Slips made the route out very difficult and he said he was not able to go any further than The Divide, close to the Routeburn Track.

Footage shows extent of damage on the Milford Road, SH94

'It was one of the most serious situations I have been in,' he said.

'I was evacuated out at about 5pm. I'm home safely now with the family.'

NZ Transport Agency journey manager Peter Brown said a busload of 27 people were airlifted out from Hollyford Rd late on Monday afternoon.

'There is extensive damage from Lake Gunn to the Homer Tunnel, which will delay us opening this road quickly, and there is still a section we haven't inspected due to bad weather preventing a flyover,' he said.

The damage means the road will be closed for at least the rest of the week.

Real Journeys general manager Paul Norris said the company had 80 overnight cruise passengers in Milford Sound who remained on board their vessels as they were unable to leave following the flooding and road closure.

'As there is no cell phone coverage in Milford Sound, our team has been helping our passengers communicate what's happening to their closest contacts and facilitating itinerary updates to travel agents and airlines,' he said.

Damage on the Milford Road, SH94, on Monday.

There is a very heavy rain warning in place for much of the South Island.

'As we continue to monitor the situation, our staff and passengers' welfare is our top priority. We have plenty of food for everyone while we wait to see when we will be able to get our passengers back on their travels.'

Emergency Management Southland controller Angus McKay said tourism operators would look after their trapped clients, and any decisions about flying them out would be made by the companies.

'That's really weather dependent. If there is low cloud cover, they're not going to be able to fly in our out of there.'

MetService's rain gauge at Milford Sound recorded 350mm in 24 hours until 10am Monday morning, and a further 300mm to 450mm of rain was possible Monday and Tuesday to accumulate on the ranges on top of what had already fallen.

State Highway 94 between Milford and Te Anau is expected to be closed for the week because of torrential rain.

The Baucas family from France are on their first trip to New Zealand, and hope to go to Milford Sound tomorrow. From left, Gasparcl, Etienne, Oscar and Jylie.

NZTA says there is extensive damage to the road from Lake Gunn to the Homer Tunnel.

MetService upgraded a weather warning for Fiordland from orange to red, the highest level, because it had the potential to cause significant issues.

It was the first red warning MetService had issued since introducing a new level of warning reserved for the most extreme weather events where significant impact and disruption is expected.

The rain was expected to cause dangerous river conditions and significant flooding. Slips and floodwaters were likely to disrupt travel, making some roads impassable and possibly isolating communities.

The warning said to expect a further 300mm to 450mm of rain to accumulate about the ranges on top of what has already fallen, and 90mm to 150mm near the coast.

Peak rates of 15mm to 25mm an hour were expected, but 25mm to 40mm was possible, mostly with thunderstorms.

MetService had issued a heavy rain warning for Fiordland, with a further 250mm to 450mm of rain to accumulate north of Doubtful Sound and 150mm to 250mm further south on top of what had already fallen.